Chess puzzles for Monday, 21 September 2026
Three new puzzles every day: easy, medium and hard. Try each one before you open the solution.
Easy: White to move and win
White to move and win. The opponent just played 26... Rdh8.
Puzzle rating 978
Hint
Theme: pin, middlegame tactic
Show solution
27. Bxf5 Qxf5 28. Qxf5+
FEN: 2k4r/1p1q4/p1pb4/3p1p2/3P4/P2BPPp1/1PQ1K1Rr/6R1 w - - 6 27
Medium: Black to move and mate in 1
Black to move and mate in 1. The opponent just played 38. Kd5.
Puzzle rating 1609
Hint
Theme: mate in 1, endgame tactic
Show solution
38... Qe6#
FEN: 6k1/R4pp1/P5qp/3K4/3Q4/4BB1P/1Pr3P1/8 b - - 2 38
Hard: Black to move and win
Black to move and win. The opponent just played 26. Rxb6.
Puzzle rating 2419
Hint
Theme: middlegame tactic
Show solution
26... Rxf2 27. Rbb1 Qa2
FEN: 3r2k1/Q4pp1/1R3r1p/8/2qNp3/P2nP3/5PPP/5RK1 b - - 0 26